Electric switch for motor vehicles



D 1960 G. CHEREFKO ELECTRIC SWITCH-FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed July 23,1959 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS G50 R e E CH EPEFKO United States Patent 12,965,728 ELECTRIC SWITCH FOR MOTOR VEHICLES George Cherefko, MarlboroRoad, Old Bridge, NJ. Filed July 23, 1959, Ser. No. 829,003 1 Claim.(Cl. ZOO-61.85)

This invention relates to an electric switch for motor vehicles, andmore particularly to a manually operated switch for flashing courtesysignals to drivers of other vehicles that it is safe for passing.

his well known to those experienced in the art that there is a greatneed for a reliable courtesy switch for giving the above stated signals,and it was with this objective in mind that applicant invented thecourtesy signal switch that was granted U.S. Patent No. 2,869,033,issued January 13, 1959 for his foot operated switch.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved switch in the electric lighting circuit of a motor vehicle thatmay be operated by either the hand or foot of the operator.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a courtesy switchthat will automatically disconnect the electric lighting circuit to thecourtesy light when the hand or foot is removed from the switch.

Other and further objects and advantages of this invention will behereinafter described and the novel features thereof defined in theappended claim.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical section of a courtesy signal switch constructedaccording to an embodiment of this invention, showing the switchconnected to the electric lighting circuit of a motor vehicle, thelighting circuit being shown diagrammatically.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2--2 of Fig.1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, and in particular to Fig.1, there is generally indicated by the reference character 5 an electricswitch embodying a box 6 having threaded terminal posts 7 and 8 whichare insulated from the stated box by insulating washers 9 and 10.Threaded electric contacts 11 and 12 are also secured to box 6 by meansof nuts 13. A binding post 14 in the bottom of the box 6 completes theterminal and contact assembly of this switch, as clearly shown in Fig. 1of the appended drawing.

A spring contact 14 having a curved end 17 is secured to the head 16 ofeach of the terminal posts 7 and 8, the curved end of the contact beinglocated directly over the head of the threaded electric contacts 11 and12 with which they come into contact as the switch is operated, as willlater be described in this specification.

A U-shaped finger 18 is secured to the binding post 14, while directlyabove the center of this finger is the lower end 19 of toggle 20. Anon-metallic horizontal member 21 is secured to the stated lower end 19of the toggle, while the toggle itself passes through a coil compressionspring 22 which has its upper end pressing against the under side ofplate 23, while its lower end is pressing against the horizontal member21.

Although it has not been stated, it is realized from examination of Fig.1 of the drawing that plate 23 has an opening 24 through which thetoggle 20 projects, the toggle being pivotally secured to a lug on theoutward face of the plate. The toggle 20 of course extends beyond thelug and terminates in a handle 24'. The plate 23 is secured tosupporting flanges 25 of the box 6 by any suitable means.

This courtesy signal switch, which has been described in considerabledetail, is now secured to the vehicle, herein Patented Dec. 20, 1960designated by the letter V in any desired location within reach of itsoperator. An electric wire 26 connects terminal post 7 with headlights27 of the vehicle. A branch wire 28 connects this same terminal with thefront signal light 29, while a third electric wire 30 connects terminal8 with rear signal lights 31. Electric contact 11 is connected to thepositive side of battery 32 by means of electric wire 11'. The contact12 is also connected to the positive side of the battery by means of anelectric wire 33. The battery 32 is of course the same one that forms apart of the basic electric system of the vehicle.

A switch 34 is wired to the positive side of the battery and isconnected to the binding post 14 by electric wire 35.

It is obvious from examination of Figure l of the drawing, that when thehandle 24' of the toggle switch is moved to the right, both theheadlights 27 or other bulbs in the headlights and the front signallight 29 will go on and if the switch 34 is closed at this time the rearsignal lights 31 or tail light in the same circuit and housing will stayon.

When the handle 24' is moved to the left, the rear signal light 31 willlight up and should the stated switch be closed at this time, the headlights 27 and front signal light 23 will remain lit.

It is to be understood that this electric switch operates both theheadlights 27 and signal lights 29 and 31 as signals day or night,regardless of whether the switch in the vehicle is turned on or off.

From the foregoing it will now 'be seen that there is herein provided animproved electric switch for motor vehicles which accomplishes all ofthe objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages ofgreat practical utility and commercial importance,

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown anddescribed, it will be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

An electric switch for interposing in a pair of light circuits,comprising a housing having side and end walls and top and bottom walls,a stationary U-shaped contact member mounted in said housing, the endsof said U-shaped contact member extending upwardly and being spaced fromthe end walls of said housing, a pair of upper and lower electriccircuit terminal posts extending through the end walls of said housing,spring contacts having curved lower ends, connected with the upperterminal posts of each pair of terminal posts and normally contactingsaid upwardly extended ends of said U-shaped contact member, completinga circuit through the U-shaped contact member and upper terminal postsof each pair of terminal posts, a vertical pivoted toggle extendingthrough the top of said housing, a non-metallic bar secured to the endof said toggle within said housing, the ends of said hori zontal barlying opposite to the curved ends of said spring contacts, between saidcontacts, adapted to move the ends of said spring contacts into contactwith the lower terminal of either pair of terminals, completing anelectrical circuit and simultaneously disengaging the upwardly extendedends of said U-shaped contact member with which said spring contact armnormally engages, upon lateral movement of said toggle within thehousing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,373,889 Harmon Apr. 17, 1945 2,514,604 Hollins July 11, 1950 2,655,642Ayres et al Oct. 13, 1953 2,667,602 Flemming Jan. 26, 1954 2,869,033Cherefko Jan. 13, 1959

